Vermont Homeschooling Laws and Resources

Homeschooling in Vermont Overview 

Notice of Intent Required: Yes

1 Option for Homeschooling: Home Study

Subject or Curriculum Requirements: Yes

Attendance Age Requirements: 6-16

Record-Keeping Requirements: No

Assessments or Evaluations Required: Yes

Proof of Immunization Required: No

How to Start Homeschooling in Vermont

Vermont law calls homeschooling “Home Study,” but the two terms mean the same thing. The Agency of Education’s Home Study Team is an excellent resource for families as they navigate the legal requirements of home education and prepare to teach their children. 

Parents are responsible for all costs involved in home study, including textbooks, curriculum materials, assessments and evaluations, and other necessary items. In Vermont, home study families must do the following:

• File an annual enrollment packet.
• Provide a narrative of the planned courses of study and content (first two years).
• Teach the subjects in the minimum course of study (MCOS) requirements.
• Perform an end-of-year assessment (EOYA) to assess student progress.

Vermont Annual Home Study Enrollment Packet

Homeschool families must enroll in the Home Study program every year, creating a separate packet for each student. The state begins accepting enrollment packets in the spring for fall enrollment. You may submit your packet using the online enrollment system or by email, fax, or mail.

There are multiple forms required depending on whether you’re a first-time home study participant or re-enrolling. See the state’s Home Study Enrollment Packet Instructions and Checklist for complete details on what’s required. You may need to submit the following:

• Home Study Enrollment Form
• Independent Professional Evidence Reporting Form 
• Minimum Course of Study (MCOS) Narrative Learning Plan and Adaptations
• Instructor Enrollment Form
• Assurance of Educational Legal Rights Form
• Parent/Report Letter and End of Year Assessment (EOYA)

MCOS Narrative Learning Plan

Families must submit a learning plan that indicates how they’ll teach the minimum course of study requirements for each student. After two years of successful home study participation, you can qualify for an exemption so you no longer need to submit this form. 

TIP: The state requires home educators to include this form for all children aged 12, no matter how long they’ve been homeschooling.

Break your narrative down by subject and include five or six skills/topics for each one. Example items could include:

• Math: Multiply 3-digit numbers
• Literature: Read A Tale of Two Cities
• Science: Newton’s Laws of Motion

Learn much more about creating an MCOS narrative plan here.

Independent Professional Evidence Reporting Form

If this is your child’s first enrollment in the home study program, you will need to have them assessed for potential disabilities. This must be completed by a licensed independent professional such as a healthcare professional, mental health provider, licensed educator, or licensed special educator/related service provider, etc.

If your child has already been assessed and found to have disabilities, you may provide alternative paperwork, such as an IEP or 504 Plan. You’ll be required to include necessary adaptations for them in your MCOS narrative plan each year.

Notice to Home Study Programs

Within 14 business days of submitting your enrollment packet, you will receive an acknowledgment from the state. If your packet is incomplete, you must provide any missing information. If your packet is complete, you’ll be notified when you can begin your home study program. 

TIP: Do not withdraw your child from school until you receive notification that your child may begin home study. Otherwise, you’ll violate truancy laws.

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Mandatory School Age in Vermont

In Vermont, children must attend school or participate in a home study program from the age of 6 until they turn 16 or complete 10th grade.

Vermont Homeschool Subject Requirements

Vermont home study participants must follow the same minimum course of study (MCOS) as those enrolled in public school. The law says “the minimum course of study means learning experiences adapted to a student’s age and ability” in the required fields, which are:

• Math
• Science
• Reading and writing
• History/civics/government
• Literature

Students age 12 and under must also learn the following:

• Art
• Physical education
• Health

The state does not require Vermont home study families to use any specific learning methods. Parents may choose any curriculum programs, instructional methods, and educational materials they wish. You’re not required to align your programs with the Vermont Education Quality Standards, though you might find them a helpful guideline.

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Vermont Homeschool Attendance Requirements  

Vermont law does not specify any minimum number of days or instruction hours for home study students. Home educators may wish to align with the public school standard of 175 days per academic year but are not required to.

Vermont Homeschool Record-Keeping Requirements 

While Vermont law doesn’t state any specific requirements for home study record keeping, families need to maintain good records to complete both the MCOS narrative learning plan and their EOYA documents. 

TIP: Keep copies of all necessary documents in a school file for each child. Detailed information will make it easier to produce transcripts when needed.

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Vermont Homeschool Annual End of the Year Assessment (EOYA)

Each year, families must complete an assessment of their child’s academic progress. It’s typically submitted with your re-enrollment packet. This assessment should show that the student met the goals of their MCOS narrative learning plan. You have several options for how to provide an EOYA.

• Parent Report and Student Portfolio: Parents provide a summary of coursework and progress in written form. You also must provide a portfolio of representative work samples, with examples from all courses taught.
• Teacher End of the Year Assessment: A licensed Vermont educator can review your child’s work and progress and complete an End of Year Assessment form.
• Standardized Test: Students may take approved standardized tests to cover available subjects. However, you’ll still need to provide evidence of progress for any MCOS subjects not covered by the tests.
• Teacher Advisory Service Report or Report Card: If your child is enrolled in a purchased curriculum program (such as an online course), you may provide the end-of-course report card or evaluation. If any MCOS subjects aren’t covered in this program, you must provide separate evidence of progress for those subjects.

Find more information on Vermont home study End of Year Assessments here.

Required Immunizations for Homeschoolers in Vermont

Vermont immunization laws do not apply to home study students. Your child may need to comply with immunization requirements if they want to take classes or participate in activities at a public school.

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Resources for Homeschool Families in Vermont

Home study families in Vermont often seek opportunities to enhance their children’s education, promote socialization, and empower their homeschooling journey. Families can achieve this by joining homeschool groups, co-ops, or larger associations. These connections can provide valuable resources and opportunities for homeschooling families to engage with other like-minded individuals, share ideas, and learn from each other. 

Homeschool, Organizations, Groups and Co-ops in Vermont

Becoming part of a homeschool group, organization, or co-op (short for cooperative) is a fantastic way for families to interact with other homeschoolers. Numerous homeschool groups and co-ops arrange field trips, courses, seminars, and other events for homeschoolers. Children and home educators will also find friendships, assistance, and guidance. 

TIP: We recommend checking online when you begin your search for a homeschool group or co-op. 

If you have questions about Vermont’s home study requirements, need help choosing curriculum, or just want to talk with other homeschool families, an organization like Vermont Home Education Network (VHEN) is the place to start. VHEN can help you find educational resources, educational assessors, and other home study needs.

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Sports Opportunities for Homeschoolers in Vermont

Vermont home study students can participate in sports and extracurriculars at their local public school. If you’re interested, contact the school for details.

Home study students can also join a homeschool sports league or participate in one of many community youth sports programs. Here are a few to try in Vermont:

Vermont Homeschool Field Trips 

Homeschool and field trips are a perfect match! When you plan field trips with other home study families, you may qualify for group discounts and special educational programs.

The Shelburne Museum is a top field trip destination in Vermont, with 39 structures across the site offering the chance to explore American history, art, and design. The Vermont Institute of Natural Science has great educational programs about wildlife rehabilitation, nature, and more. Explore local history at Billings Farm & Museum or Hildene, the home of Robert Todd Lincoln. 

Enjoy hands-on STEM fun at the Montshire Museum of Science, or combine literature and history at the Robert Frost Stone House Museum. And when it’s time to learn about civics, take a tour of the beautiful Vermont State House building.  

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Special Education Homeschoolers

Homeschooling students with special needs in Vermont can be tricky. The state requires that homeschooling families submit “independent professional evidence” that their homeschooled student is not handicapped. 

If the child does have special needs, the family must supply the services that will be provided to help the child. All of this information and evidence must be submitted with the home study enrollment notice that families must submit.

However, some school districts in Vermont have been known to provide some special education services to students within their boundaries. The level of service varies from school district to school district, so it is always best to contact the Special Education Coordinator to determine the local district’s policy about this.

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Vermont Homeschool FAQ

Is Vermont a homeschool-friendly state?

Home study is highly regulated in Vermont, and families must provide the state with information regarding both learning plans and student progress each year. 

TIP: Vermont gives home educators freedom in choosing curriculum programs, educational materials, and how to teach required subjects.

Vermont homeschool families can also create schedules that work for them. In addition, home study students may take classes and participate in athletics and extracurriculars at their local public schools. While Vermont regulates some aspects of homeschooling, most home study families are usually able to make the program work well for them.

How do Vermont homeschoolers receive diplomas or transcripts?

The state does not provide diplomas to Vermont home study students. After one year of successful home study enrollment, parents or guardians may request a verification letter stating their child participated in the home study program. Your local public school may be willing to work with you to issue a diploma if your child meets the graduation standards. Contact them if you’re interested.

Vermont home study students may also wish to take the GED or HSCP. Learn more about each here.

Parents may issue diplomas or transcripts, but institutions of higher learning, hiring companies, and other organizations are not required to accept these as a replacement for a diploma earned through a Vermont public school system. 

TIP: The more detailed your records, the easier it will be to prove your child’s graduation status.

Is unschooling legal in Vermont?

Parents are free to choose the instructional methods they feel best suit their family’s needs. This includes unschooling as long as your child makes adequate academic progress each year.